c C 

CO ^ 

<c 






111 



c:c<e^ 






JCCc C. 












LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Cliap.JjU.7fep5rioht ^0. 

Shell/!flJ.^5' 

/i?i 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



f #^;' ^^ 

^cc cc C c V- 

■^CC CC_ c c V 

<c cc ^ 

<C cc ^ 

CC c c ^ 

cc c c .- 

4 cc <L C 

cc c c . 

CCC C^C 

iccc c C . 

xccc r- 



- CSC 



c or 



c <c 

CcC^ 

ccc: 
«CcC 



c c c: c c c 

c^c<^c C c 



Clf <1_ etc 

5^ 5 ^ <:i<z cscv 
"" ^^<c/c 

-' c__ <^ c: c cc^c^^^^ 

^ <^ C CccC^fe 



■CC C 
cc « 

^^ ^ 



ic: CO V 

=1^- cc 

L cc 

<^ 

CCc 

c C7C ^ ^ 

' CC V C 



^f «:< ccc:cc< 
ic csicccccc^ 

c:c ^^:ccc^ccc 
CC <X1C Ci<3Cc 

^c S~c '^^^'^'' 

; c, cc c cj 



^:c..:C<|E<<r 



^^^f §m$& <&Cv 

C' CCC c c < 
C cc c c 

-CCCC c <i 
& cc c c ■ 

X cc 



^^•SRft 



<c 

<2-<c:.^c 



Cl c 

z _ c 
c. c 
_ c 






nmn 















,c C c 

^■c cc 
<: c Cc 

r c cv 

c c cc 

JC<CC c 



<rr,c ; 

C > c < 






«r c 






^^ Cc 
. Cc 



CC .c<:: 

Cc . ^<: <^ 

C C re <^ 

Ca- ■ cc^ 



**^^ 



^C 
<«: 

cc 
CC 

CC ^ . 
^c 

cc 
cC 

cC c 
CC c 



c c. 

Cv 

'- cc 
Cc 
CC 

cc 



-^r ^ cc. c 

=-^; cc c. 

-^'^^ '• cc C c 



=.^. CC cc 7*-^ " 

■S ^ cc c c 
^^ cc C C 

^^^ cc < c . 

^=3cct^^<:^^C 

\^ <5:^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 



Xccc \ 

JC<C . 

^CjcCC c: 

_^ccC ' 

£C<5C 

^ ^CCCCC 

5^p^c<r 






^Cc 



. cc ^ ^ 



=^^ ^ c 

. C C 

= <^ V 

^ ' ^ C 

^ ^ c c 
C c c 
^ <: c 



_^c^<; 



mi 









e- Af 









Cr^ cere. 

.cc 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. 



THE 

/ 
MILITARY ORDER 



OF THE 



LOYAL LEGION 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES. 



PHILADELPHIA 



^- ■ ^^-^l^.\?^l> 



s..MZ±' 






Entered accordino to Act of Congress, in the year l8bs, for 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, 

By Sam. B. Wylie Mitchell, M.D., Acting Recorder-in-Chief of said Order, 

Jn the Clerk's Ojffice of the District Court of the United States, 

for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by 

JOHN P. NICHOLSON, Actias Recorder-in-Chief of 

Tiie Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress. 



First Edition, iSbS- 



Second " 


j8bb. 


Third " 


i8b7. 


Fourth " 


i8b8. 


Fifth 


1870. 


Sixth 


1874. 


Seventh ' ' 


1877. 


Eighth " 


j88o. 


Ninth 


1881. 



Congress, /S6g. 

1873. 

" ■ 1877- 

1881. 



CONSTITUTION. 



PREAMBLE. 

We> Officers and Honorably Discharged Officers 
OF THE Army, Navy and Marine Corps of the United 
States, whose names are hereunto annexed, — having aided 
in maintaining the honor, integrity and supremacy of the 
National Government, at a critical period of its history; 
and holding in remembrance the sacrifices in common 
made, and the triumphs together shared, in the support of 
this sacred duty, — do unite in order to ordain and es- 
tablish a permanent Association for the purpose and ob- 
jects hereinafter set forth, and to this end, pledge our 
honor, as officers and gentlemen, to be governed by the 
following Constitution and By-Laws. 

ARTICLE I. 

title. 
This Institution shall be known by the name, style and 
title of The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of 
the United States. 



ARTICLE II. 

PRINCIPLES. 

This Order acknowledges as its fundamental principles — 
I St. A firm belief and trust in Almighty Godj extolling 
Him under whose beneficent guidance the sovereignty 
and integrity of the Union have been maintained, the 
honor of the Flag vindicated, and tlie blessing of Civil 
Liberty secured, established and enlarged. 

2d. True allegiance to the United States of America, 
based upon a paramount respect for and fidelity to the 
National Constitution and Laws, manifested by the dis- 
countenancing of whatever may tend to weaken loyalty, 
incite to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or in any 
manner to impair the efficiency and permanency of our 
Free Institutions. 

ARTICLE III. 

OBJECTS. 

The Objects of this Order shall be, to cherish the 
memories and associations of the war waged in defence of 
the unity and indivisibility of the Republic ; to strengthen 
the ties of fraternal fellowship and sympathy formed from 
companionship-in-arms ; to advance the best interests of 
the soldiers and sailors of the United States, especially 



7 

of those associated as members of this Order, and to 
extend all possible relief to their widows and children ; to 
foster the cultivation of Military and Naval Science ; to 
enforce unqualified allegiance to the General Govern- 
ment ; to protect the rights and liberties of American 
citizenship, and to maintain National Honor, Union and 
Independence. 

ARTICLE IV. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The several constituted bodies of this Order shall be 
designated as Commanderies, and shall consist of — 

I St. State Commanderies, to be known as "The 
Commandery of the State of " 

2d. A iV^//£'«i?/ Commandery, to be known as *^The 
Commandery-in-chief.'' 

ARTICLE V. 

MEMBERS. 

The Members, or Companions , of this Order shall be of 
three (3) Classes : — . 

First (ist) Class : Commissioned Officers of the United 
States Army, Navy or Marine Corps, Regular or Volun- 
teer, including Officers of assimilated rank by appointment 



8 

of the Secretary of War or Navy, who have been actually 
engaged in the suppression of the Rebellion, whether 
as Commissioned officers. Non-commissioned officers. 
Warrant officers, or Enlisted men. 

The eldest male lineal descendants, according to the 
rules of primogeniture, of deceased Companions of the 
First (ist) Class, upon attaining the age of twenty-one 
years ; and if there are no descendants, male or female, 
then the male heirs of such deceased Companions in the 
collateral branches of their families in the order of genea- 
logical succession according to the rules of primogeniture : 
Provided however, That in cases of representation through 
females the eldest branches shall be preferred to the 
younger, and intervening female lives through whom the 
inheritances would be derived shall be disregarded ; that 
any person eligible for membership by inheritance, if he 
have no descendants male or female living may, by writing 
filed, waive and renounce his right in favor of the next 
entitled person ; and that in case one already a Companion of 
the Order is next in the line of inheritance from a 
deceased Companion, the eligibility of membership in right 
of such deceased Companion shall devolve upon the person 
next entitled other than such living Companion or his 
descendants. 



The eldest male lineal descendants, according to the 
rules of primogeniture, of Officers who have been killed in 
battle or died while in the service of the National Govern- 
ment during the actual existence of the Rebellion, and 
who would have been eligible for membership in the Order 
had they survived. 

Second (2d) Class : The eldest sons of living Compan- 
ions of the First (ist) Class, provided they be twenty-one 
(21) years of age. 

Upon the death of the Companion of the First (ist) 
Class through whom eligibility of membership is derived, 
a Companion of the Second (2d) Class shall become a 
Companion of the First (ist) Class. 

Third (3d) Class : Gentlemen in civil life, who, during 
the Rebellion, have been specially distinguished for con- 
spicuous and consistent loyalty to the National Government, 
and who have been active and eminent in maintaining 
the supremacy of the same. 

ARTICLE VI. 

ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 

Section i. — Every application for membership shall be 
made in writing, signed by the applicant, who shall be 
recommended in writing by three (3) Companions of the 



Commandery to which he shall apply, who shall vouch 
for the candidate's eligibility. The application shall be 
referred by the Commander to a Committee of Investiga- 
tion, consisting of three (3) Companions of the Order, none 
of whom shall be of the recommending Companions. If 
the applicant be a candidate for the First (ist) Class, the 
Committee shall ascertain the date of his appointment or 
muster into the United States service, and if discharged, 
the date of the same, and the reasons therefor. In all cases, 
they shall make a careful examination of his standing and 
moral character, and shall report in writing at the next 
stated meeting of the Commandery. After the reading 
of the report, the Commander shall formally request 
any Companion of the Order who has any objection to the 
report, or reasons against the election of the candidate, 
to then state the same if he so desire. Upon the adoption 
of the report, — the candidate must be balloted for if the 
report be unfavorable, — ^every Companion of the Order 
present, shall, unless excused by a vote of the Commandery, 
deposit one (i) ballot for or against the candidate. If he 
be a candidate for the First (ist) or Second (2d) Class, and 
not more than two (2) black balls be deposited against 
him, he shall be declared duly elected ; but if three (3) or 
more black balls be deposited against him, he shall be 



rejected and so declared. If he be a candidate for the 
Third (3d) Class, and one (i) black ball be deposited 
against him, he shall be rejected and so declared. 

Sec. 2. — An application for membership may be with- 
drawn before report thereon ; or after report and before 
ballot, if the report be favorable. 

Sec. 3. — A Companion-elect of the First (ist). Second 
(2d) or Third (3d) Class, before being admitted to the 
privileges of membership, shall subscribe to the Constitu- 
tion and By-Laws of the Order ; pay an admission fee of 
at least twenty-five dollars (^25.00) which shall entitle him, 
during membership, to a Diploma, Badge and Ribbon ; be 
presented at one of the meetings of the Commandery, 
and there make the requisite declaration. But if he shall 
neglect or refuse to comply with these conditions for the 
period of six (6) months, unless prevented by sickness or 
other unavoidable occurrence, his election may be declared 
null and void : — 

Provided, That Companions-elect of the Order who may 
be stationed or who may reside at a distance too great 
to be present at the stated meeting of their Commandery 
next succeeding their election, and who are thus unavoida- 
ably prevented from complying in full with the above 
requirements, may, in lieu thereof, make in writing the 
requisite declaration of membership. 



Sec. 4. — If a candidate for membership be rejected, he 
shall be forever after ineligible for proposal in any other 
Commandery of the Order, and not eligible in that in 
which he was rejected, until a period of one (i) year 
shall have elapsed from the date of his rejection; after 
which, in the event of the rejected candidate applying for 
membership, he shall comply ia all particulars with the 
forms hereinbefore prescribed; and, to be elected, must, 
when balloted for, be approved unanimously. 

Sec. 5. — When the fact of the ineligibility of any can- 
didate for membership of the Order shall be certified to 
before the Council of any Commandery, by a Committee 
of Investigation duly appointed, it shall be duly and 
properly recorded, and a copy of such record shall be 
forwarded, through the proper channel, for the information 
and guidance of the several Commanderies. 

ARTICLE VII. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Section i. The right of a member to resign, or to 

withdraw from the Commandery for any stated period of 
time, on application made as hereinafter directed, shall 
be given at any stated meeting, two-thirds {y^) concur- 
ring in the same ; and this, with the understanding, that, 



13 

during such time, the Companion withdrawing shall not 
enjoy the rights and privileges of other members. 

In case of the proposed withdrawal or resignation of a 
member, before the same shall be allowed or accepted, he 
shall return to the Commandery of which he is a member, 
his Diploma, Badge and Ribbon of the Order. 

Sec. 2 All applications for permission to withdraw 

or resign from the Commandery, shall be made in writing 
and accompanied by a certificate from the Recorder that 
all dues to the Order have been satisfied. But no member 
shall be permitted to withdraw or resign while charges are 
pending against him. 

Sec. 3. — Membership shall be forfeited only for a viola- 
tion of any of the obligations taken on entering the 
Order, or for other conduct unbecoming a gentleman 
and inconsistent with that of a man of honor. In such 
cases the Diploma, Badge and Ribbon, and all other 
property belonging to the individual as connected with 
this Order, shall be returned to the Commandery of which 
he is a member. 

Sec. 4 — Commissioned officers of the Regular Army, 
Navy or Marine Corps, members of any Commandery, 
upon being ordered to a station where there is a Com- 
mandery with which they desire to affiliate, shall be 



entitled to a. temporary transfer thereto, upon written appli- 
cation to their Commander, accompanied by a certificate 
from the Recorder that all dues to their Commandery have 
been satisfied ; and during their absence they shall not be 
liable for dues to their Commandery. 

Companions in civil life, changing their permanent 
residence to a place within the jurisdiction of any other 
Commandery, may in like manner receive a transfer. 

In no case shall a Companion be exempt from his 
obligations to his Commandery solely on account of 
absence therefrom. 

Sec. 5. — In case of the death of a Companion, his heirs 
shall be entitled to retain possession of his Diploma, Badge 
and Ribbon. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

IMPEACHMENT OF MEMBERS. 

Section i. — If the conduct or character of any Com- 
panion of this Order shall be impeached, the accusing 
member shall prefer his charge in writing to the Council, 
who shall notify the accused of the same ; and if, after a 
due investigation, the Council consider the charge to be 
sustained, they shall report the case, with their decision, to 
the Commandery, notifying the accused of the time when 



15 

the report is to be made. If the accused member shall 
fail to come forward and exculpate himself, he may be 
expelled by a vote of two-thirds (fi) of the members of 
the Commandery present. But no vote for the reprimand, 
suspension or expulsion of a Companion, shall be taken 
except at a stated meeting. 

Sec. 2. — The dismissing, cashiering or dishonorable 
discharge from the service of the United States, of any 
officer who may be a Companion of this Order, shall con- 
stitute a sufficient ground for his expulsion without further 
investigation. If such officer shall be reinstated, he may 
thereafter resume his membership in the Order, should there 
be then no objection to his so doing. 

Sec. 3 A member who has been expelled, may be 

reinstated only by a unanimous vote of the members of the 
Commandery at the next stated meeting after he shall 
petition in writing for reinstatement. 

ARTICLE IX. 

HONORARY MEMBERS. 

Companions of the Third (3d) Class in any 

Commandery shall not exceed in number the ratio of 

one to thirty-three (1:33), to those of the First (ist) 
Class. 



i6 
ARTICLE X. 

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE. 

The Diploma of Membership and the Insignia of the 
Order may be conferred upon any foreign officer, and 
also upon any gentleman who served on the general 
staff without a commission but who is otherwise eligible 
to membership, by a vote of the Congress of the Order, 
the necessary action to be taken by the Commandery-in- 
Chief. The vote shall be by ballot and three black balls 
shall exclude from such membership. 

Members-at-Large shall be recognized as Companions of 
the First (ist) Class and may affiliate with any State Com- 
mandery, upon assuming the prescribed financial obliga- 
tions thereof. 

ARTICLE XL 

DIPLOMA OF MEMBERSHIP. 

Section i. — Every Diploma of Membership shall be 
signed by the Commander-in-Chief, and shall have the 
seal of the Order affixed thereto^ and be attested by the 
E.ecorder-in-Chief. 

Sec. 2. — The form of the diploma shall be as follows : — 



17 
No.— 

In the Name and by the Authority of 

{COAT OF ARMS.) 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States. 

The Commandery-in-Chief. 

To all to whom these Presents shall come, 

Greeting: 
Know ye, That 



Having been specially distinguished for faithful services 
in maintaining the honor, integrity and supremacy of the 
Government of the United States of America, was received 

as a Companion of the Class of The Military 

Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, 

on the day of , Anno Domini thousand 

hundred and , through the Commandery of 



the State of_ 



In testimony w^hereof, the names of the proper Officers, 
and the Seal of the Order are hereunto affixed. 

Given at Philadelphia, this day of , in the 



year of our Lord thousand hundred and , 

and of the Independence of the United States of America 
the _, and of the Order the 




Commander-in- Chiefs 
Attest : — 



Recorder-in- Chief, 

Sec. 3. — For Companions of the Second Class, and those 
admitted to the First Class by right of succession, the form 
of Diploma shall be varied by the Commander-in-Chief, so 
as to state the name of the officer who has rendered faithful 
services, together with the name and relationship to the 
ancestor of the Companion admitted. 

ARTICLE XII. 

DEATH OF MEMBERS. 

Upon notice of the death of any Companion of the 
Order, the Commandery shall be convened for the purpose 
of attending the funeral ceremonies. 

The Companions, wearing the usual badge of mourning, 
will march in the order prescribed for such processions. 

If agreeable to the family of the deceased, the coffin 



19 

shall be draped with the United States flag, and the pall 
supported by eight (8) Companions of the Order. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

OFFICERS. 

Section i. — The Ofificers of the State Commanderies 
shall be a Commander, a Senior Vice-Commander, a 
Junior Vice-Commander, a Recorder, a Registrar, a 
Treasurer, a Chancellor, a Chaplain, and a Council con- 
sisting of five (5) Companions, of which Board the other 
Officers shall be members. They shall be elected annually^ 
as hereinafter directed. 

Sec. 2. — The Officers of the National Commandery 
shall be a Commander-in-Chief, a Senior Vice-Com- 
mander-in-Chief, a Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, a 
Recorder-in-Chief, a Registrar-in-Chief, a Treasurer-in- 
Chief, a Chancellor-in- Chief, a Chaplain-in-Chief, and a 
Council-in- Chief, consisting of five (5) Companions, of 
which Board the other Officers shall be members. 

They shall hold office during the term of four (4) 
years, or until their successors shall be duly elected and 
invested. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 

Section i. — It shall be the duty of the Commander tO' 



20 

preside at all meetings of the Commandery and of the Coun- 
cil ; to enforce a strict observance of the Constitution and 
By-Laws ; to appoint all Officers and Committees not 
otherwise provided for ; to sign all orders drawn upon the 
Treasurer for all sums necessary to defray the expenses, 
and for other appropriations made and passed at a stated 
meeting of the Commandery ; and to perform such other 
duties as custom and parliamentary usage, or his charge, 
may require of him. 

Sec. 2. — The Vice-Commanders shall, when called 
upon, assist the Commander in the performance of his 
•duties. The Senior Vice-Commander is, in the event of 
the death, resignation, or absence of the Commander, 
his plenary representative. In the event of the 
death, resignation, or absence of the Senior Vice-Com- 
mander, the Junior Vice- Commander succeeds to all his 
powers and duties. 

If none of the above-named Officers be present, a Com- 
mander pro tempore shall be appointed. 

Sec. 3. — It shall be the duty of the Recorder to keep 
in books provided for the purpose, — 

I St. The Constitution and By-Laws, Rides and Regula- 
iions of the Order, to be signed by every Companion on 
his becoming a member thereof. 



2(3. A Journal of the proceedings of the Commandery, 
after the same have been corrected and approved. 

3d. A Letter-Book of copies of all official letters sent 
and received. 

4th. A Ledger, to contain the accounts of the Com- 
mandery with its members. 

5th. A Receipt-Book, in which to take the Treasurer's- 
receipts. 

6th. A Book, in which shall be recorded the names and 
rank in the service of all that at any time may be declared 
ineligible for membership in the Order ; and also of those 
members who may have been expelled from any Command- 
ery, together with the reasons therefor. 

It shall be his duty to keep these books in readiness at all 
times for inspection by the Council ; to care for and ar- 
range the archives of the Commandery ; to keep all 
accounts between the Commandery and its members ; to 
receive in trust all moneys of the Commandery, and pay 
the same without delay to the Treasurer, taking his receipt 
for the same. He shall attest all orders drawn upon the 
Treasurer for money ordered to be paid at a stated meeting,, 
and none others, except those hereinafter specially provided 
for. He shall give due notice of all meetings of the Com- 
mandery, and shall furnish in the said notice the name. 



22 

rank and command in the service, and address of each 
candidate for membership, together with his or their Re- 
commenders, and the Committee of Investigation j and in 
the notices of the first stated meetings in May and Novem- 
ber, he shall state the amount due by the Companion to 
whom issued. He shall conduct the correspondence of the 
Commandery, and shall notify the National Commandery 
and each State Commandery, from time to time as they 
may occur, of every admission and rejection, suspension 
and expulsion, resignation and withdrawal, restoration and 
death. He shall, at the last stated meeting in his term of 
office, make out for the Commandery a full report of all 
moneys received during his term, and also the arrearages of 
every member ; and shall transfer to his successor in office, 
within two (2) weeks from the expiration of his term, all 
books, papers, or other property in his possession belong- 
ing to his office. He shall notify the family of a deceased 
Companion of the First (ist) Class, of the provisions of 
Article V., paragraph 2d ; and shall perform such other 
duties as the Commandery or his office may require of 
him. 

Sec. 4. — The Registrar shall procure and keep a Regis- 
ter of the members of the Commandery, ruled to embrace 



23 

-every material fact relating to or growing out of their mem- 
bership. 

In the absence or disability of the Recorder he shall 
officiate in his stead. 

Sec. 5 . — The Treasurer shall receive from the Recorder 
all moneys belonging to the Commandery, giving receipts 
for the same. He shall pay all orders signed by the Com- 
mander and attested by the Recorder, and none others ; 
.and must retain, in a book provided for the purpose, these 
orders as his vouchers. He shall keep fair and regular ac- 
counts of his receipts and expenditures, making a quarterly 
statement thereof He shall perform such other duties as 
the Commandery or his office may require of him. He 
shall pay over and deliver to his successor in office, on the 
night of investure of said successor, all moneys, vouchers, 
"books and papers belonging to the Commandery, in his 
"hands at the close of his term of office. For the faithful 
performance of his duty, he shall give such security as the 
Commandery may direct. 

Sec. 6. — The Chancellor shall have the care and cus- 
tody of the Seal of the Order, together with the Diploma- 
plate, Dies, Badges, Ribbon and Rosettes. He shall issue, 
on proper requisitions, the Diploma of Membership and the 



^ 



24 

Insignia of the Order ; and shall keep in a book provided 
for the purpose, a full and complete record of the same. 

In no case shall he issue a duplicate Diploma or Badge 
except by a vote of the Commandery of which he is a mem- 
ber, based upon the statement, upon honor, by the appli- 
cant, that the original has been either lost or destroyed : — ■■ 
Provided, That a Companion receiving such duplicate, shall 
pay the actual cost of the same. 

In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, he shall 
officiate in his stead. 

Sec. 7 It shall be the duty of the Chaplain to open 

and close the meetings of the Commandery in the manner 
prescribed, and to perform such other duties as general 
custom may require of him. 

Sec. 8. — The Council shall exercise a general inspectioni 
and control over all property belonging to the Command- 
ery. The five members elected as the Council shall be 
constituted a standing Committee on accounts, and shall 
audit and adjust the Commandery's books semi-annually, or 
oftener if required to do so, rendering reports of the same. 
In dissensions between Companions, it shall be the duty of 
the Council to act as a Court of Honor for the just and 
amicable settlement of the same, but where charges are 
preferred against a Companion, it shall be constituted a 



25 

Court of Inquiry for the Commandery, and shall proceed 
to act according to the laws and usages governing similar 
courts in the Army and Navy. It shall have power to fill 
vacancies in any of the offices of the Commandery, except 
in cases provided for in Article XIV, Sec. 2., until the time 
of the next annual election. 

ARTICLE XV. 

REMOVAL OF OFFICERS. 

Any Officer of the Order who shall neglect, or improperly 
perform the duties incumbent upon him, may be removed 
by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Com- 
mandery present. 

ARTICLE XVL 

MEETINGS. 

Section i. — The stated meetings of the several Com- 
manderies of the Order shall be held monthly, unless any 
Commandery, by a two-thirds (J/'s) vote, shall otherwise 
direct: — Provided however, Thsii e/ery Commandery shall 
hold a meeting in the month of May of each year for the 
election of Officers. 

Sec. 2. — Special meetings may be convened at the 
pleasure of the Commander, or at the writcen request of 



26 

eight (8) members of the Commandery, three (3) days 
previous notice being given in every case. 

Sec. 3. — Eight (8) members of the Commandery shall 
constitute a quorum at any meeting at which business is to 
be transacted. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

SECRECY. 

Section i. — The proceedings of the Order shall, as a 
general rule, be kept secret. 

Sec. 2. — Any member who shall disclose the name of 
a Companion who has been instrumental in causing the 
rejection of any candidate for membership, or give infor- 
mation that may lead to such disclosure, shall be expelled 
from the Order, and the Commander shall cause the 
provisions of this law to be read immediately after the 
rejection of such application. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

FUNDS. 

Section i. — Funds for defraying the current expenses 
of the Order, and for the relief of the unfortunate, shall 
be raised by an annual assessment of at least five ($5.00) 
dollars upon each Companion, which shall be paid in 



27 

advance ; but any Companion of the Order who shall 
pay, at one time, one hundred and fifty ($150.00) dollars 
over and above his admission fee, shall be exempt from the 
payment of all further dues. 

Sec. 2. — All sums paid for the commutation of annual 
assessments shall be transferred immediately to the 
Treasurer for investment in United States or other approved 
securities under the direction of the Council. 

ARTICLE XIX. 

ARREARAGES. 

Section i. — Any Companion who may be in arrears at 
the time of holding tha annual election for Officers shall 
be prohibited from voting, and ineligible to any office 
until such dues shall be paid or remitted. 

Sec. 2 — Any Companion who may be one (i) year or 
more in arrears at the first stated meeting in April, shall 
be specially notified of the fact ; and if the same be not 
paid within a reasonable time thereafter, the Comma ndery 
may, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present, 
suspend the Companion until such arrearages shall be paid 
or duly remitted. 

Sec. 3. — If the Companion shall neglect or refuse to 
pay such arrears, he may be dropped from the roll by 



28 

order of a majority of the members of the Commandery 
present, unless it shall appear that the delinquency has 
occurred through unavoidable disability, —in which case 
the Commandery may remit the whole, or any portion 
thereof Companions so dropped from the roll may, 
however, be reinstated by vote of the majority of the 
members of the Commandery present, upon payment of 
such arrears. 

ARTICLE XX. 

RELIEF. 

Section i. — Every Companion who has been a mem- 
ber of this Order for one (i) year, and has conformed to 
to its laws, shall, in case of misfortune and distress, be 
entitled to such relief as may be deemed expedient. 

Sec. 2. — The widow and the children of a deceased 
Companion shall be entitled to such relief as the Com- 
panion, if living, would have enjoyed. 

ARTICLE XXI. 

RELIEF COMMITTEE. 

Immediately after the installation of the Officers-elect, 
the Council shall, by and with the approval of the Com- 
mandery, appoint eight (8) Companions, who shall con- 
stitute a Relief Committee for the ensuing year. All appli- 



29 

cations for relief shall be referred to such Committee. 
The Committee shall be empowered to order temporary 
assistance only in cases which will admit of no delay, and 
shall immediately report the fact to the Council. The 
expenses for such assistance shall be paid by an order on 
the Treasurer, approved by the Council ; but the said 
Committee shall draw no other orders upon the Treasurer, 
except by a resolution of tlie Commandery. 

ARTICLE XXII. 

STATE COMMANDERIES. 

Section i. — To further its designs, this Order shall, as 
far as it is consistent with its principles and objects, institute 
Commanderies in all the States of the Union. 

State Commanderies shall be organized upon applica- 
tion, signed by at least thirteen (13) Companions of the 
Order, made to the Commandery-in-Chief, or if such body 
be not already established, then to the Commandery of 
the State of Pennsylvania, and granted by a two-thirds 
(/i) vote of the same. The charter for such shall be at 
once issued. 

Sec. 2. — The form of charter shall be as follows : — 



30 

In the Naine and by the Authority of 

{COAT OF ARMS.) 

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 

United States. 

The Commandery-in-Chief. 

To all and singular to whom these Presents shall come, 

Greeting : 

Know ye, that our worthy Companions, ^ 



are hereby authorized and empowered to institute, or- 
ganize and estabhsh a Commandery in , to be 

known as The Commandery of the State of , 

OF The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States. 

Witness the name of the Commander-inrChief, and the 
Seal of the Order, attested by the Recorder-in-Chief, at 

Philadelphia, this day of in the year of our 

Lord__ thousand hundred and _, and of the 



31 

Independence of the United States of America the. 
and of the Order the , 




Commander-in- Chief. 



Attest: — 



Recor iter in- Chief . 

Sec. 3. — Upon issuing the Charter to any Command- 
ery, the Commander-in-Chief shall direct at what time 
and place the same shall be organized. The Officers 
then chosen shall enter on their duties at once, and hold 
their offices until the annual meeting. All Officers shall 
subsequently be selected at the annual meeting. They 
shall be chosen by ballot, by a majority of all the valid 
votes given ; and should no candidate receive a majori- 
ty of all the votes polled at the first ballot, then the 
candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be 
dropped, and so on at each successive ballot. The Com- 
panions so elected shall enter upon office at the next 
stated meeting after their election, and shall hold the 
same, until their successors shall be duly elected and 
invested. 

Sec. 4. — Each Commandery shall have power to adopt 



32 

whatever Rules and Regulations may be deemed necessary 
for its own special government : — Provided, That the 
same do not in any way conflict with or impair any part 
or portion of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Order. 
Sec. 5. — Each Commandery shall make a full report of 
its condition, accompanied by a general history of its 
proceedings, to. the Commandery-in- Chief annually in 
May. 

ARTICLE XXIIL 

COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF. 

Section i The Commandery-in-Chief shall consist 

of the ex-Commanders and Commanders of the several 
Commanderies, and also of such other distinguished 
Companions of the Order as the Commandery-in-Chief 
may elect. 

Sec. 2. — The duties of the Officers of the Commandery- 
in-Chief shall be as prescribed in Article XIV of the 
Constitution for State Commanderies. 

Sec. 3. — All legislative power, except as provided 
in this Section and elsewhere reserved to the subordinate 
Commanderies shall be vested in the Congress of the 
Order ; and the chief executive and supreme judicial power, 
in the Commandery-in-Chief : — 



33 

Provided, That when a contingency shall arise which 
shall in all honor and fair dealing seem to the Com- 
mandery-in-Chief to demand instant and imperative action, 
it may, with the approval of a majority of the several 
State Commanderies, adopt measures to meet the contin- 
gency, which shall be binding until the next meeting of 
the Congress. 

Sec. 4. — The Commandery-in Chief shall, in the name 
and by the authority of the Orderj^issue all Diplomas of 
Membership and Charters for the institution of new Com- 
manderies. 

Sec. 5. — Should any State Commandery cease to hold 
regular meetings as provided by this Constitution for a 
period of one year, the charter of the same may be 
revoked by the Commandery-in-Chief, and the Companions 
thereof in good standing shall be transferred to such 
Commanderies as they may elect. 

Sec. 6 In order that the several Commanderies shall 

be brought into as direct communication as possible, it 
shall be the duty of the Commandery-in-Chief to have 
each Commandery notified of any new organization that 
may have been effected ; and on the receipt of such 
official information, they shall communicate, with the least 
possible delay, with the new Commandery, tendering 
greetings on its entrance into the Order. 



34 

Sec. 7. — The Head-Quarters of the Commandery-in- 
Chief of the Order shall be in the City of Philadelphia, 
State of Pennsylvania, at which place it shall assemble 
at least once in every two (2) years. The Council-in- 
Chief shall meet at least annually. Its members may be 
represented by letter. 

Sec. 8. — The actual and necessary expenses of the 
Commandery-in-Chief shall be provided for by a pro rata 
assessment upon eacl^ State Commandery, according to the 
number of the members in such Commandery. 

ARTICLE XXIV. 

CONGRESS OF THE ORDER. 

Section i. — A Congress of the Order, to be composed 
of the Commander-in-Chief, Recorder-in-Chief, and three 
(3) Representatives from each and every Commandery, 
shall assemble at least once in every four (4) years, on the 
Wednesday next following the 9th day of April, in such 
place as may be designated by the preceding Congress, 
and shall act on whatever business may be laid before it. 

Sec. 2, — Commanderies unable to be represented by 
their own special delegation, shall be required to select 
as substitutes a full delegation from another or other 
Commanderies of Companions not delegated from their 



35 

own Commandery, who shall, in all matters appertaining 
to the Congress, enjoy the rights and privileges of other 
representatives. 

ARTICLE XXV. 

COAT OF ARMS OF THE ORDER. 

The Coat of Arms of the Order shall be : — 

Arms. — Gironn^, (symbolical of unity,) of thirty-four, gules 

and argent, (representing the number of States forming the 
National Government at the commencement of the Rebellion ;) 3. 

twisted pillar irradiated in pale or, environed by an orl or 

clouds proper. (y. Exodus XIII, 21-22.) 

Crest. — Upon a wreath, argent and gules, a hemisphere 
or, charged with the legend America in letters azure; 
thereon the National Eagle in the position of defense, 
proper ; all within thirteen dtoiles of eight points archwise 
of the first, on a field of the fourth. 

Supporters D e x t e r ; A soldier under arms, his dexter 

hand supporting a lance, therefrom flying the Standard of 
the United States : Sinister; A sailor equipped for gen- 
eral quarters, his sinister hand supporti»ng a pike thereon 
hoisted the National Flag : — all proper. The equip- 
age of each as prescribed by the Regulations of 1861 and 
1865 for the government of the Array and Navy. 



36 

Motto. — LEX REGIT, ARMA TUENTUR, — in letters argent, 
charged upon a scroll purpure. . {y. Frontispiece.) 

ARTICLE XXVI. 

SEAL OF THE ORDER. 

The Seal of the Order shall be one-and-three-tenths 
(i-j?i^) inches in diameter, and shall consist of the Crest, as 
hereinbefore blazoned, the letters mdccclxv. in base; 
the whole encircled by a band one-eighth (^) of an inch 
wide, thereon the legend — seal of the military order 
OF the loyal legion of the united states. 

ARTICLE XXVII. 
insignia of the order. 
Section i. — The Insignia of the Order shall consist of 
the Badge pendant by a link and a ring of gold from 
the Ribbon. 

Sec. 2. — The badge of the Order shall be as follows: — 
O b V e r s e. — A Cross of eight (8) points, gold, cantoned 
-with rays of gold, forming a Star — its long diameter one- 
and-three-tenths (ix^xr) inches, its short diameter eight-tenths 
(^^^ of an inch. The Cross enameled, azure, charged with 
a smaller cross of like proportions, enameled white and 
edged with gold. In the centre thereof, within a circle 
four-tenths (y^^) of an inch in diameter, enameled gules, 



37 

the National Eagle displayed gold. On the circle, gold, 
one-tenth (j\y) of an inch wide, the motto — lex regit, 
ARMA TUENTUR. — in relicvo. (i/. page 40.) 

R e V e r s e. — The Star as above described. In the centre 
thereof within a circle four-tenths (x\) of an inch in diam- 
eter, enameled gules, two (2) sabres in saltire, their points 
in base ; surmounted by a fasces pale-wise, ensigned with 
the Phrygian Cap ; environed in chief with an arch of 
thirteen (13) stars; in base, a wreath of laurel : — all of gold. 
On the circle, gold, one-tenth (x'^) of an inch wide, the 
legend — m. o., loyal legion, u. s. — mdccclxv. — in relievo, 

(z/. page 41.) 

Sec. 3. — The reverse of the link of each Badge shall 
bear an engraved number corresponding to that of the 
registered number of the Companion to whom issued, and, 
when such badge shall have been worn by an ancestor, the 
obverse of the link shall bear the number of the Companion 
entitled to it in succession. 

Sec. 4. — The ribbon of the Order shall be of watered 
silk, one-and-a-half (i^) inches wide. 

For Companions of the First (ist) Class, — a red 
ribbon eight-tenths (y*jj) of an inch wide, bordered with 
white and edged with blue ; each three-and-one-half-tenths 

(t^) "^^ ^" VCioh wide. (v. page 40.) 



38 

For Companions of the Second (2d) and 
Third (3d) C\a.ss, a. d/ue ribbon eight-tenths (-j-^^) of 
an inch wide, bordered with white and edged with red, 
each three-and-one-half-tenths (|^') of an inch wide. 

(&. page4i.) 

ARTICLE XXVIII. 

UNIFORM OF THE ORDER. 

Section i — On occasions of ceremony, the Companions 
of the Order may wear the uniform of their respective 
arm and grade whilst in the service, subject to such 
regulations as may hereafter be enjoined. 

The Insignia of the Order shall be worn conspicuously 
and only on the left breast, except, that Officers of the 
Order, when in uniform or full dress at meetings of the 
Commandery, shall wear the Badge suspended by the 
ribbon round the neck. 

Sec. 2. — ^When not on duty as Companions of the 
Order, the members may wear on the left lapel of the coat, 
one (i) inch from the top of the lapel, parallel thereto 
and one-half (3/^) of an inch from the front edge of the 
same, the prescribed Ribbon of their respective Classes, 
or, in lieu thereof, Officers and Companions may wear a 
rosette of the prescribed Ribbon and pattern, in the upper 
button-hole of the left lapel of the coat. 



39 
ARTICLE XXIX. 

AMENDMENTS. 

No alteration, addition or amendment shall be made 
to this Constitution, unless agreed to by three-fourths (^) 
of the whole number of Commanderies represented in the 
Congress of the Order. 




Instituted April 15th, 1865. 



40 




"Obverse." 



41 




Reverse. 



42 



BY-LAWS. 



ARTICLE I. 

INSTALLATION OF MEMBERS. 

The Companion-elect, being formally presented at a 
stated meeting of a Commandery, shall then and there 
make a declaration upon honor that he will maintain 
the Constitution of the Order, and conform to all its By- 
Laws, Rules and Regulations, and will use his best 
endeavors to promote its objects and advance its interests. 

ARTICLE II. 

INVESTURE OF OFFICERS. 

A Companion elected to any office in the Order, before 
being invested with the authority of the same, shall make 
a formal declaration upon honor that he will well and 
faithfully perform the duties of the office on which he 
is about to enter, and comply with all the established 
laws and usages of the Order. 



43 
ARTICLE III. 

FINES. 

Section i — The fundamental principles of this Order 
teing recognized as its only test of loyal citizenship, the 
discussion or introduction of sectarian or partisan topics 
•within the precincts of a Comraandery is prohibited, and 
this under a penalty of sudi fine, not less than fifty dol- 
lars ($50.00), as may be imposed by order of the Council. 

Sec. 2 All other violations or neglects of duty may 

be fined at the option of the Commandery. 

ARTICLE IV. 

ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

At stated meetings, the business shall be conducted in 
the following order : — 

1. At the time appointed, the Commander shall take 
the chair and call the Commandery to order. 

2. The Recorder may call the Roll of Members. 

3. The Chaplain shall pronounce the opening prayer. 

4. The Minutes of the last stated and all subsequent 
meetings, shall be read and disposed of. 

5. Companions-elect shall be installed. 

6. The stated business of the meeting, if any, shall be 
considered. 



44 

y. Unfinished business shall be taken up. 

8. Reports of Officers and Committees shall be heard. 

9. Written communications shall be presented. 

ID. Candidates for membership shall be balloted for. 

11. Applications for membership shall be received. 

12. Admission fees and semi-annual dues of Compan- 
ions shall be called for payment. 

13. New business may be introduced. 

14. The Recorder shall register the names of the Com- 
panions present. 

15. The Chaplain shall pronounce the closing prayer. 

16. Adjournment. 



ARTICLE V. 

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

Section i. — The general parliamentary law shall govern 
the transactions of the Congress of the Order and the 
Commanderies. 

Sec. 2. — All official orders, communications, records 
and proceedings, of whatever character, shall conform as 
nearly as possible to the general regulations, usages and 
customs of the military service of the United States. 



45 
ARTICLE VI. 

THE ACTING COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF OF THE ORDER. 

Until the 4th day of July, 1876, the Commandery of 
the State of Pennsylvania shall act as the Commandery- 
in-Chief of the Order ; but if on the date above specified, 
the Commandery-in-Chief of the Order be not organized, 
the said Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania shall 
continue to exercise said functions until the organization 
of the Commandery-in-Chief shall have been effected. 

ARTICLE VII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

No alteration, addition or amendment shall be made 
to these By-Laws, unless agreed to by three-fourths (^) 
of the whole number of Commanderies represented in the 
Congress of the Order. 



46 



INDEX. 



CONSTITUTION. 



PAGE. 



Preamble, 5 

Article I.— Title, 5 

" II. — Principles, ..... & 

III.— Objects, 6 

IV. — Organization 7 

" V. — Members, 7^ 

" VI. — Election of Members, ... 9- 

VII. — Membership, transfer and termination of IT 

" VIII. — Impeachment of Members, . , 14. 

IX. — Honorary Members, ... 15 

" X. — Members-at-Large, .... 16 

" XI. — Diploma of Membership, . , 16 

XII.— Death of Members, .... '18 

XIII.— Officers, 19 

XIV.— Duties of Officers, .... 19 

" XV. — Removal of Officers, ... 2J 

XVI. — Meetings, 25 



47 

PAGE. 

Article XVII. — Secrecy, 26 

" XVIII.— Funds 26 

" XIX. — Arrearages 27 

XX.— Relief, 28 

«« XXL— Relief Committee, .... 28 

" XXII. — State Commanderies, ... 29 

•' XXIII. — Coriamandery-in-Chief, ... 32 

" XXIV. — Congress of the Order, . . 34 

XXV.— Coat of Arms of the Order, . . 35 

" XXVI.— Seal of the Order, ... 36 

♦' XXVII.— Insignia of the Order, ... 36 

" XXVIII.— Uniform of the Order, ... 38 

" XXIX.— Amendments, ..... 39 



BY-LAWS. 

Article I. — Installation of Members, ... 42 

" II. — Investure of Officers, ... 42 

III.— Fines 43 

IV. — Order of Business 43 

V. — General Rules and Regulations, . . 44 

■ " VL— Acting Commandery-in-Chief of the Order, 45 

•• VII. — Amendments, 45 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Coat of Arms of the Order Frontispiece. 

Seal of the Order, Page 39 

Obverse of Badge of the Order, and Ribbon for Com- 
panions of the First (ist) Class, ... "40 

Reverse of Badge of the Order, and Ribbon for Com- 
panions of the Second (2d) and the Third (3d) Class, " 41 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. 



THE 



MILITARY ORDER 



OF THE 



LOYAL LEGION 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

1881. 



/. Commandei-v of the Slate of Pennsylvania. 

( Acting Co in matt dery-in- Chief .'^ 

Head-Quarters, Philadelphia. 

Instituted April 15, 1865. 

Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN P. NICHOLSON, U. S. V., 

Recorder, 139 S. 7th Street, Philadelphia. 

2. Coinmandery of the State of New York. 

Head-Quarters , New York City. 

Instituted June 17, 1866. 

Brevet Brigadisr-General Chas. A. Carleton, U. S. V., 

Recorder, 98 Broadway, New York City. 

J. Commander y of the State of Massachusetts. 

Head-Quarters, Boston. 
Instituted Mar. 4, 186S. 
Colonel Arnold A. Rand, late Mass. Vols., 

Recorder, 53 Tremont Street, Boston. 

4. Commandery of the State of California. 

Head-Quarters, San Francisco. 

Instituted April 12, 1871. 

Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Smedeurg, late U. S. A., 

Recorder, 2o3 California Street, S. F. 

5. Commxndery of the .Stale of Wisconsin. 

Head-Quarters, Milwaukee. 

Instituted May 15, 1874. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Jos. McC. Bell, U. S. V.. 

Recorder, 82 Michigan Street, Milwaukee. 

b. Commandery of the State of Illinois. 

Head-Quarters, Chicago. 

Instituted May 8, 1879. 

Captain RICHARD ROBINS, late U. S. A., 

Recorder, 141 East Kinzie Street, Chicago. 












3 > 



\3 > 
> > > 



>> s 






^^ ^^ ^^ ^ 

> "■> 3>) >^ 

»> -^ 
► »3 > ^ 



3: -t 






•-) ' 2> ^:> T 

~ :>> o ~ 

^ 33 3 ~ 

j» > - 

"::3) ) : 

• :5> > r. 

3 3 ^) > 

.3 3-0- 
T> 3 ^ ^y;^-'^ 
^^ 3-^>3-:^^ 

3 ^ ^yv3^^ 5^ 

3-„^3)>^3»2> 

» 3 5 3 > S3^^ - 
33 >.> ^ ~^ 3--' 






33 > i3 >:> > 

^^3> ) 3 

3^^ 3 33 



^n^ >3 > 



>:> J 



:>:3'3n 



^ ^:> 3> )^4 






:> :>>!>>> 






) .)^ J>> y^)i 



^^ .>3 ^ j>:> 2jr »> > T»^> >;>^ 
3 ^ ^. ^5 ^ ^3>> ^3 >i> r ^^^^^ 












0'l>» : 






--^ ^^'3^3 >^^i>:)» ^>:i5> 3)o: 

^33> 7> -> 7> ^ ^i>2» > > 3>Z> :)>^ 

> ^^ z>^:> ^ j» ti»»^>^ ^> i>^ )^5i 

^^:> ^> 3 i> 2>^^^^y^ >> o:> ) i>>3:> 
^^^ !:> :>) >3 >i>>2>:> >» 3> c>^ 3 
,_,g^ 3_5> c> i>^ i> 2>^>5:>» >^> ^ -^:> >■>s>":>3' 
o> :s> ^ I>^ )> >^>2» >>^ or> s)3 > 
:> 3) > 3>^ r> 3»:»3> 3^ ^ 3> 33 :> 

^ 3 >> ^ ^^^ 33 :»)33 3>)^ >3 >>3 ) 

?>>^^ V ^ ^> ^^ ^^^^ 3t»3> 3»>)^[> >> 3> 33^ 
^^ ^? i? ^^^^^^^»^>3>^ r>3^T> >, 3> J 



■'3> 3 ^ 



^^.>^ ^>;> 



> 3 3- 

>3 . y 

' > >■ .- 

^3 V 

> 3 > 



^5 

3r>-»j 



■ >3 >^~ 

^^3^3 

^3 >^s> :> 

> '>3 -IIX* 3 






3)5> :>: 



-^ 3 yy:r 

«..^3 3 y 5^ 
' 3 3 
3> 3>0^ 

^.:^3 3 3 ^ll> 

b3>3 3oOr> 
f)3)> 3 0:^3 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




012 608 205 8 



